After touring up and down the United Kingdom with the likes of Leatherface, NOFX and Wat Tyler, the band set about recording demos. This coincided with a tour of the Basque region in Spain, where copies of the demos sold like hot cakes. On their return, Sean of Wat Tyler and the man behind Rugger Bugger Records put up the modest money to record a Guns n' Wankers album, which was recorded and produced by Andy Davies in Hitchin, Herts UK. The recordings were originally released on Rugger Bugger Records as three 7" EPs: Hardcore, Pop, and Metal (A Silly EP was free with an issue of Fear & Loathing 'zine in very limited numbers). However, when NOFX’s Fat Mike showed an interest in releasing the album on legendary US punk label Fat Wreck Chords, he dispensed with all the material from Metal and one from Hardcore. The remainder was released as an eight track album called For Dancing And Listening on Fat Wreck Chords. The album was well received and continues to be highly regarded by the Punk fraternity. Unfortunately, soon after the band split due to the reformation of Snuff. Pat Walters went on to play with singer-songwriter Marc Carroll in a band called The Hormones and Joolz formed punk band Dogpiss. However, some Guns n' Wankers recordings remain un-released and plans are in the offing to correct this.
Help
Guns 'n' Wankers Lyrics
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I did my best to sleep
But a hand reached in and grabbed my ankle
Dragged me through the same routine
Cold air filled my lungs
Felt like I slept for months
Hypnotised by repetition
Living without living at all
Fresh air brought a sense of smell
Renewed my strength
But the pins and needles hurt my feet
As I walked from an interrupted dream
And to look back now
I can only see those streets in black and white
I never found the rainbows end
But at least I found a better place without you
In the opening lines of Guns 'n' Wankers's song "Help," the singer describes being awakened by alarm bells in a dream. Despite trying to continue sleeping, they are pulled out of bed and forced into the same monotonous routine that they have become accustomed to. The singer is disillusioned with this way of life, feeling as if they are living without really living. The only thing that brings a sense of renewal is the fresh air outside, although walking still causes physical pain. Looking back, the singer realizes that they did not find the end of the rainbow, but they did find a better place without the person they are addressing in the song.
The lyrics of "Help" evoke a feeling of imprisonment and monotony, with the use of words like "routine," "hypnotized," and "living without living." The singer is clearly sick of this way of life, but feels trapped in it, as if they have no choice but to keep going through the motions. The fresh air outside brings some relief, but even that causes pain, highlighting the singer's struggle to find a way out of their situation.
Overall, "Help" is a poignant and introspective song that speaks to the human desire for freedom and personal growth. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who has been trapped in a life that they do not want, but who is slowly finding a way out.
Line by Line Meaning
Alarm bells sounded in my dream
Something was wrong and I could sense it even in my dreams
I did my best to sleep
I ignored the warning signs and tried to continue living in peace
But a hand reached in and grabbed my ankle
Reality eventually caught up and forced me to face the truth
Dragged me through the same routine
I was stuck in a rut, unable to break free from my mundane existence
Cold air filled my lungs
I woke up to a harsh reality that I had been oblivious to before
Felt like I slept for months
I had wasted so much time and was now playing catch-up
Hypnotised by repetition
My life had been on autopilot and I had lost my way
Living without living at all
I had been merely existing, not truly living
Fresh air brought a sense of smell
I finally began to see the beauty in life and appreciate the little things
Renewed my strength
I found the courage to leave my comfort zone and face my fears
But the pins and needles hurt my feet
I faced some painful obstacles along the way
As I walked from an interrupted dream
I was leaving behind my old life and embracing a new one
And to look back now
Reflecting on my past experiences
I can only see those streets in black and white
I can't go back to my old ways or see things in the same light anymore
I never found the rainbows end
I may not have achieved all my dreams, but that's okay
But at least I found a better place without you
I'm better off without the person or thing that was holding me back
Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.